Your Health Equation

Good day! I’ve got some of my creative juices flowing today so here I am writing to you:) The sun and the garden are helping with that.

I thought I would share with you part of my health equation and ask for you to share parts of yours. My next newsletter will highlight some of your feedback. (anonymously)

So here are some of my top health helpers:

#1Neti Pot

#2Breath Work

#3Meditation

#1 Here’s my neti pot, simple and portable

NEILMED NASAFLO NETI POT 50 PACKETS (londondrugs.com)

I keep it pretty easy. 1/2 teaspoon of salt (sea salt or Himalayan) mixed with a 1/2 cup warm water from my tap. My goal is to make it as warm as my body and as salty as my tears would be, so that my body stays calm with no reactions. I started this practice about 5 years ago as a means to cleanse my body before meditation. It also has a myriad of effects on my immune system. My nasal passages being my first line of protection and wisdom to the outside world. I practice this every morning and it has helped keep me strong and healthy.

#2 Breath work is something I do more formally before meditation but I also do it throughout the day, especially in times of discomfort or pain. Nadi Shodhana or alternate nostril breathing is done by breathing in and out through your nose while blocking the opposite nostril. Here’s a video I found to help. Easy Nadi Shodhana | Pranayama Practice – Bing video

Nadi Shodhana is used to calm the mind and body and it helps to centre myself. There are so many breathing techniques (pranayama). This is one of the first ones I learned in yoga class and later learned with meditation. You can do 5-10 rounds. One round starting your in breath on the left and ending on an outbreath on the left. Another simple one I use is breathing in for the count of 4, and breathing out for the count of 6. When my outbreath is longer than my inbreath my body’s nervous system starts to relax.

#3 Meditation is something I do everyday, consistently to find out how I’m doing. It’s a time I take to look at myself without judgement. Can you imagine? I say that bc it’s so easy for me to judge, defend, and protect myself. So I take a break:)

So now, how about you? I’m sure you have lots of tricks up your sleeves. Looking forward to your answers.

I’m in clinic 3 days a week: Mon, Wed, Fri.

Thursdays, I’m teaching at Pacific Rim College, and Tuesdays I work off site. Would love to see you. Hope all of you are feeling supported and finding time for joy.

Many hugs

Gigi

Happy Year of the Rat!

 

Happy Year of the Rat! The rat is the clever one who won the race by tricking the bull into carrying him until the finish line. At that point the rat jumped off and crossed the line before all the other animals. I know this story because I’m a rat. When I lived in Taiwan and found out I was a rat, all the children made sure I knew I wasn’t a lowly rodent, but that I was a clever rodent!
Lillian Bridges has written up the forecast for 2020. “Rats favor their young, so this is a year of youth empowerment and reclaiming one’s youthful self. People will feel younger and livelier.” That sounds good. To read more of her predictions, click the link below, than click the purple title that says The Year of The Rat Forecast.
https://lotusinstitute.com/
There’s a new free 21 day meditation coming up by Oprah and Deepak. It’s about living our healthiest life. Here’s the link:
https://chopracentermeditation.com/login?utm_source=21-Day%20Meditation%20Experience%20-%20News&utm_medium=Email&utm_content=PHR-Recruitment+%231F.&utm_campaign=21-Day%20Meditation%20Experience%20-%20News2020113

Meditation for me grows my compassion muscle. It shines a light on my mental stories and games that I play. If I can grow to like myself more, this helps me understand others on a deeper level. The road can feel bumpy…and it’s worth it.
Winter is upon us. We got treated to some snow and sliding! My daughter Alia Blue, who is eight years old, couldn’t get enough of the snow. One night after her bath, she decided to get her snow pants on for one more go! Yes, good thing! It melted fast.
Winter is Kidney/ Urinary Bladder time of year. Our energies are deep in the body. It’s important for me to check in to see what I am needing. If I try to do too much…argh it doesn’t feel good. At the same time, it’s important for me to keep my light shining bright and my Qi moving with some treatments, yoga, meditation, slow time with family, singing, walking, creativity…What are your tricks?
In Chinese Medicine, it’s time to keep the body warm and preserve our Qi, for Spring and Summer are around the corner. Change change change. Everything comes and goes.

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My hours at the clinic are Mon, Wed, Fri…with some overflow Thursdays.
Remember you can text, call, email, or book online.
Looking forward to our visits.
Gigi Vincentine Dr. TCM
250.882.0659
gigivincentine@hotmail.com

The Tao of Montessori Continues…Teaching Through The Seasons

The Tao of Montessori

Last Friday, I was given the honor of speaking to and working with over 60 Montessorians from the Vancouver Island Montessori Association(VIMA). https://www.facebook.com/VancouverIslandMontessoriAssociation/ I was invited to be the key-note speaker for their Professional Development Day. I was very excited to set up my “clinic setting” in the beautiful Omega High School classroom at Maria Montessori Academy. (https://mariamontessoriacademy.net/)

“Preparing the environment” in the classroom is a key component to the Montessori philosophy. We explored the idea of “preparing the environment” within oneself. For the past 20 years, I have been exploring within myself this idea of Living / Healing Through The Seasons, the emotions and the physical patterns that evolve with Mother Nature. Just like a teacher that lives and breathes through the seasons with their students. We discovered together that we are doing the same thing! How beautiful!

Wow!
60 Lovely Montessorians!

It’s Monday today and I’m still feeling the awe and the honor that was bestowed upon me and upon us all. Thank you

Gigi Vincentine

I recently came upon this wonderful documentary on the Life of Maria Montessori. Please enjoy!

BBC English Documentary 48 mins

And we can’t forget Lao Zi, the Father of Taoism

5 min video on Taoism

Listening

Listening, stop…stop everything

Stop your stories, stop protecting, stop defending, stop everything

Stop hardening, stop running, stop everything

Listen with your heart

Listen with your whole body

Listen with your soul

We are here to listen to each other

You are safe, I am with you…listen

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by Gigi Vincentine

Welcome to Summer, Stay Healthy…Stay Balanced!

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When I was in my late twenties, living in Taiwan, I had many “seeds” planted in me. Now those seeds have grown into my Chinese Medicine Practice, my Family, my Life. There was one other seed I had left for “one day”. I am excited to announce that “one day” is here. I am taking 14 days off in July (6th-19th) and 10 days off in August (12th-22nd) to complete my Yoga Teacher Training. It’s a 200hr course given at The Salt Spring Centre for Yoga. I have been going to Salt Spring every Spring on weekend retreats and I can’t believe it’s my turn to spend part of my summer there! What an honor! As you can see by the pictures it’s a beautiful place with all the serenity you can imagine.

http://saltspringcentre.com/

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Now as you know, I don’t like being away from my clinic too long without having someone to support you if and when you need it. Anne Vardy R. Ac. from Active Health will be available for the times I am away. She is located at 102-1625 Oak Bay Ave. near Fort Street. http://activehealthclinic.ca/about-us/meet-the-tea… cell 250.885.0964

Anne Vardy R.Ac. has been practicing for over 15 yrs here in Victoria. We often do trades and I know her style very well. You will be in good hands. She has offered to wave the consultation fee so you can get started with treatments right away.

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I am here in the clinic for another 3 weeks until July 5th. If you need any herbs/ supplements/ treatments before I leave, I would be glad to help. Ahhh this is really happening! Back in the clinic on July 20th.

I couldn’t do any of this without all of your support. Thank you so much.

With Gratitude

Gigi Vincentine Dr. TCM

P.S. You can reply to this email and it will go directly to my hotmail account gigivincentine@hotmail.com

250.882.0659

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http://www.gigivincentine.ca